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Letter to the Editor: Subminimum Wage for Disabled Workers Must Go! »

July 3, 2019 | Beth Blick

Note: The U.S. Department of Labor authorizes certain employers to pay people with disabilities a fraction of the minimum wage in what are called “sheltered workshops.” At last report there were 1,769 of these employers and 124,066 people getting the subminimum wage.
Workers in yellow vests sit around a lunch table at work.

Steward's Corner: Don't Complain, Organize! »

July 1, 2019 | Ellen David Friedman

Complaining isn’t the first step to organizing—it’s the graveyard of organizing. Just ask any union steward or rep who has listened to a member complain bitterly but refuse to take action.

Four smiling women wearing "UFCW Local ON STRIKE" signs stand in front of a Co-op gas station, arms around each other's shoulders

Six-Month Retail Strike in Freezing Saskatchewan Didn’t Beat Two-Tier »

June 28, 2019 | Bianca Cunningham

“Three years ago I was at a union meeting and a member stood up and asked why we got such good pay and benefits as Saskatoon Co-op employees,” said Jodi Smith, a member of Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1400.
UE protesters stand with a sign and a flag.

Erie Locomotive Workers Avert Strike with New Contract at Wabtec »

June 25, 2019 | Saurav Sarkar

Three months after the largest manufacturing strike of the Trump presidency so far, locomotive plant workers in Erie, Pennsylvania, have a deal. Electrical Workers (UE) Locals 506 and 618 ratified a four-year contract on June 12.

South Korean Labor Leader Arrested after Clashes over Working Hours »

June 24, 2019 | Kap Seol

UPDATE, June 27: Kim was released on 100 million won ($86,421) bail today, following a court ruling that his release would not constitute “a risk of evidence destruction.”—Eds.
Workers in pro and con shirts before the UAW election at VW's plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Beware of the 'Easy' Way »

June 21, 2019 | Samantha Winslow

The sad outcome of the United Auto Workers campaign at Volkswagen reminded me of when I entered the labor movement 15 years ago.
box of ballots

NewsGuild Challenger Calls for Rerun Election »

June 20, 2019 | Randy Furst

Who will lead the NewsGuild is an open question after its first contested presidential election in 11 years.
Woman holding "UNION YES" sign and child holding U.S. flag, with VW plant behind

Why the UAW Lost Again in Chattanooga »

June 14, 2019 | Chris Brooks

It was a bad sign. On the day voting began at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the shift change suddenly turned blue.
Group of workers in matching green T-shirts outside the plant

Volkswagen Declares War against Works Council and German Union »

June 12, 2019 | Chris Brooks

A top employee representative in Volkswagen’s Global Works Council was denied entry into the company’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, factory today as the union election began.

On Eve of Union Vote, Chattanooga VW Workers Describe Rampant Workplace Injuries »

June 11, 2019 | Chris Brooks

“I’m only 33 and I can’t see myself working here for another 10 years,” said Ashley Murray. “I would be disabled by then. We need a union because they are a multibillion-dollar company and they treat us like shit.”

Injured VW Worker: ‘This Is Why We Need a Union’ »

June 11, 2019 | Kim Onofrey

On-the-job injuries are rampant in auto factories, where many dangerous tasks are still done by hand and in a hurry.
Doctor views imaging machine

Steward's Corner: Pennies for Evelyn »

June 6, 2019 | Patrick Weisansal II

An issue doesn’t need to violate contract language to spark a winning fight, as this story from my union demonstrates.
L.A. teachers in red rallying during their January 2019 strike.

Less Messaging, More Action »

June 5, 2019 | Barbara Madeloni

You’re at a union meeting, brainstorming for a campaign, when a hand shoots up. “What we need is better messaging. Can we get a billboard? Maybe we could make a meme.”
Eight teacher leaders from the Unions We Deserve slate pose together, smiling and giving thumbs-up. T-shirt slogans include "flree minds," "Black lives matter at school," "Baltimore schools for Baltimore students," and "build one Baltimore"

Baltimore Teachers Unseat Incumbents, Who Demand a Do-Over »

May 31, 2019 | Samantha Winslow

What happens when new leaders run for office and beat an eight-term incumbent? In the Baltimore Teachers Union, it seems, the incumbent tries for a second bite at the apple.
A crowd with signs saying "Millwrights Local 1554 support UAWVW workers," "IUPAT Local 226 supports UAWVW workers," "Solidarity," "Union Yes," "Ver.di," "UAW"

As VW Election Nears, CEO Stokes Fears over Plant Closing from 1988 »

May 31, 2019 | Chris Brooks

The new head of Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant led two all-plant captive-audience meetings on Tuesday, a day before the National Labor Relations Board announced it has scheduled a union election.

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